Schedule If you’re like most homeowners, you assume your air conditioner is doing its job if your home is consistently cool. As long as you don’t wake up sweating in the middle of the night or come home to a hot house mid-day, you may not give your AC much thought. Due to the number of AC service calls we see due to the extreme heat, we’re encouraging you to think more about the efficiency of your HVAC system in Sugar Land, TX.
Your air conditioner is doing its job, but is it doing so efficiently? Is it possible that you could pay a little less on your electric bill each month if it did the job a little better? Yes, it is possible, and these tips will help you optimize your AC and minimize your energy bill.
Window Coverings
Sunlight can enter your home through uncovered windows and generate heat. That works against your air conditioner, requiring it to work a little harder at cooling your home. If you cover south-facing windows during the day, you can block the sunlight and give your system a break.
Ceiling Fans
Think of ceiling fans as your air conditioner’s sidekick or helper. They cost a lot less than an AC system and can circulate the air and cool you off with far less energy. When you install ceiling fans in rooms where you spend a lot of time, you can keep your home a bit cooler which makes it easier to run your AC less.
Thermostat Settings
Programmable or smart thermostats are becoming quite popular here in Texas, but you don’t need to change your thermostat to adjust the settings to your advantage. If you can increase the temperature setting to 78° during the day or even a bit higher while you’re away from home, you can save energy and keep your home reasonably cool. Smart thermostats automate the adjustments for you making this step a bit easier.
Fix Leaks
Have you ever sat or stood by a window or door during cold weather and felt the chill coming in? The same small cracks that allow cold air to seep in can allow cool air from your air conditioner to leak out. That means your system must work harder to make up for the loss. The fewer air leaks in the house, the greater your AC efficiency.
There are ways to stop some air leaks without replacing doors or windows. such as improving the seal around your door if you see large gaps along the bottom or sides.
Vent Checks
Walk through your home at least once every month or two and look at the vents. You want to make sure every vent is open, clean, and isn’t blocked by furniture or decor.
Something as simple as a pile of laundry in the wrong place or a couch pushed a little too far over can make the difference between an efficient and struggling HVAC system.
Routine Maintenance
Finally, it’s critical to ensure your air conditioner is well maintained over time. You can do your part with regular filter changes, but at least one routine tune-up is needed annually as well. This is what ensures your AC will operate just as well tomorrow as it does today.
Once you’ve done what you can for your AC system, you can leave the rest to the pros. Contact the pros at Fresh Air, LP. to get the most out of your air conditioner this summer.
